Fabric cleaning mechanism



Sept- 9, 1958 P. D. HINKEL El'AL 2,850,888.

FABRIC CLEANING MECHANISM Filed March 29, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS FWD. Eilll'eb Ergws ZEHwnIua'fi ATTORNEYS Sept. 9, 1958 P. HINKEL ETAL 2,850,888

'FABRIC CLEANING MECHANISM Filed March 29. 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q INVENT OR I Pmmilimz w ErnestH.Hzalmrfi fim Wwwq-w ATTORNEYS P 9,1958 I P. DY.VHINKEL ETAL 2,850,888

FABRIC CLEANING MECHANISM 4 Filed March 29, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 8 50 ea 7 I i 6'5 8 JH/JJ Y INVENTORS PauZflHinkeZa/n i Ermtflflwnlwrfi ATTOR NEYS P. D. HlNKEL EFAL FABRIC CLEANING MECHANISM Sept. 9, i95

Filed March 29, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS PM DJIL'M M Ermtlllwmlzarfi ATTORNEYS Sept. 9, 1958 P. D. HlNKEL ETAL 0,

v FABRIC CLEANING MECHANISM Filed March 29. 1956 s Sheets-Shet 5 INVENTORS PawlREz'zaIwZ an ErzzesZEHwnhwrZ ATTORNEYS U'niteci States Patch 2,850,888 FABRIC CLEANING MECHANISM Paul-D. Hinkel, Washington, D. (3., and Ernest H. Hanlliiu't, iialtimore, Md; said Hanhart assignor to said inke Application March 29, 1956, Serial No. 574,857

7 Claims. (Cl. 68-l44) This invention relates to an improvement in a washing mechanism involving the rotary principle and particularly to a washing and damp drying mechanism that is most adaptable to the Washing of heavy fabrics such as carpeting or rugs of various kinds. The machine of this invention einploys'the rotary principle, i. e., a rotary drum of a novel interior and exterior configuration that is conducive to taking full advantage of the rotary motion both in an effective washing cycle as well as in eflicient rinse and partial drying phases.

In recent years, it has been appreciated by industry concerned with the cleaning of heavy fabrics, particularly rugs, that there are several economical and practical demands which have not been completely met by known methods and mechanisms. By and large, current commercial cleaning machines are extremely expensive to fabricate and, considering their use in washing low cost fabrics, relatively expensive to operate. Of greater significance is the fact that industrial changes in the fabrication of rugs have so altered certain basic characteristics of the latter as to raise severe problems, primary among which is the problem of effective cleaning operations that are not unduly expensive to the customer.

An especial difliculty arises particularly with respect to rugs of the so-called hard back type. These might be generally divided into two categories: the well-known 1 expensive type of rug, such as that utilizing high grade yarns and Woven upon Axminster or Winton looms, and that type of rug which has created more of an immediate problem-a lower cost type of carpeting that, for economical production, is provided with a hard backing of latex or similar rubber base compound. As is well known, this latter type of rug can be more economically produced since the yarns thereof are generally made of synthetic or cotton fibers and, in its fabrication, certain amounts of the backing weave, such as the woof or weft shots, are eliminated. Elimination of these is possible for the latex backing becomes a substitute for these additional yarns by solidly securing the base of the weave and providing a hard, durable back surface.

With respect to both types of carpeting or other heavy fabric of the so-called hard-back type, washing in rotary machines has been recognized as presenting certain practical difficulties. Among these is the fact that a hard back fabric, of whatever type, is obviously resistant to bending and, if folded upon itself too sharply, will be caused to crack or otherwise deteriorate. Machines of the rotary type now in common use are not suitable for cleaning this type of rug because, due to other economical considerations, they are generally limited in interior capacity with the result that the rug must often be balled or folded unduly in order to be admitted to the machine. Also, the restricted interior space of these machines, if filled to capacity, will tend to induce sharp bending of the fabrics with the result stated above. Furthermore, in this type of machine, to make it of larger size is'no reasonable solution inasmuch as the increased amount of detergent and water necessary to do a thorough job of cleaning would make the expense of operation thereof prohibitive.

With respect to the cheaper type offhard back or that type of rug having a latex backing, there is another severe problem when it comes to utilizing known commercial machines for cleaning purposes. It is known that in the rotary washing of such rugs in the commercial type of mechanism, the latex or similar rubber compound backing, due to space limitations, is necessarily caused to contact vigorously at different parts of the same rug or rub against the backing of other rugs in the same machine. A great deal of frictional heat is thus generated and fires have actually been caused, par-.

ticularly during the drying stage of such machines, due to the excessive temperatures created by this rubbing action.

Another factor might also be mentioned. So-called tufted rugs or carpeting made by machines through the use of tufting needles are generally fabricated of softer or lighter wools or synthetics' The verynature of the operation requires this. -In recent years, this type of floor covering has had a considerable market, but the problem of cleaning such a product has not been completely solved. This is because abrushing method has a very deleterious effect upon such tufted rugs for lighter yarns being used, such yarns, with the severe brushing that is required, tend to fuzz excessively and rapidly deteriorate. Furthermore, a scrubbing operation, always involving great amounts of water and detergent, is too expensive in operation to be profitable in the cleaning of this lower cost type of product.

The instant invention propounds a solution to these various difliculties encountered in this branch of the cleaning industry. The mechanism of our invention is predicated upon the principle of rotary washing, accomplished through the use of a triadic or hexagonal watertight casing within which is located a star configuration of six points, the same being made up of a series of slats or ribs, all positioned normal to the axis of rotation. As will be seen, such a self-contained mechanism reduces water and detergent consumption, efi'ectuates a complete cleaning through repeated surging of wash fluid and promotes such a cleaning action by a slap action function, the latter being also especially useful in the so-called damped drying of the fabrics.

Accordingly, it is a primary objective of this invention to provide a washing mechanism based upon the rotary principle that eftectivelyattains a complete, yet economical, cleaning without any deleterious effect upon the involved fabrics, such as causing them to ball or fold in a manner which would result in cracking of the backing. Actually, the instant device involves an operation which is conducive to the continuous spreading or layering of the rugs in such fashion that full advantage can be taken of the involved slap action during the various cleaning, rinsing and damp drying phases.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a mechanism of the described type which employs a double fluid surging action that materially contributes to the washing action which would normally be obtained from any machine based upon the rotary principle; one type of surging or swishing of the yvash fluid against the fabrics charged to the machine is obtained through a series of interior and peripheral bucket-like arrangements that cause the water to cascade from a high point at the upper level of the wash container downwardly to a point near the bottom of the wash chamber where the rugs successively migrate. The other type of fluid surging, further contributing to efiicient washing, is involved in the flow back of the wash fluid from the lowermost pora4 tion of the tub, which is then filled with water and detergent. Such flow back occurs as this lowermost portion progressively rotates upwardly, the fluid swishing over the fabrics which are periodically stacked near the bottom of the wash receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of a rotary type which simplifies the loading and unloading of fabrics charged to the wash receptacle; in this connection, the loading platform is actually a bridge across the width of the star-shaped configuration of the wash receptacle. Such a bridge also naturally enhances the washing effect obtained by the mechanism for every third time the rugs are cast from one side of the receptacle during washing to the other side, they impinge upon such platform with a relatively great amount of force. Since the bridge extends the entire width, from point to point, of two oppositely positioned star points of the construction, the area to receive fabrics so thrown is larger and the slamming action or cleaning effect is consequently greater.

As indicated in the foregoing, it is a further objective of this invention to provide a mechanism for washing fabrics of the heavy type that gently handles all kinds of different weaves, commonly used in the rug making in dustry, and all kinds of synthetic or non-Wool types of rugs. This is possible since the device of the invention is so designed that a crumpling together, balling or folding of the several fabrics does not occur, thus preventing deterioration of the nap or tufts through intimate rubbing and, of course, eliminating a possible fire-hazard insofar as latex backed rugs are concerned.

A final, further objective and advantage of this inven tion resides in the practical and industrial solution to a problem which has confronted the concerned industry by the provision of means which, considering presently used types of apparatus for the same purpose, is relatively simple in design and which may be fabricated at comparatively low cost.'

Reference will now be made to the drawings for a more particular description of our invention wherein like numeral designations signify like parts throughout the several views thereof and in which:

Figure l is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a view taken on the line 44 of Figure 1 and illustrating in more particular the door construction of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic section of the star-shaped wash container illustrating the loading position of said container and diagrammatically demonstrating the position of the rugs within the container when initially loaded therein;

Figure 6 is a schematic section similar to Figure 5 illustrating the action of the wash container when rotated clockwise (in this view), one of the buckets and the lowermost compartments of the container being filled with wash solution and the rugs having progressed down the platform into one of the points of the star;

Figure 7 is a schematic section of the wash drum showing the conditions prevailing with further rotation of the mechanism and during which the rugs are thrown from the platform to one of the points of the star; here one peripheral bucket is filled with solution and the other is discharging the wash solution over the fabrics;

Figure 8 is a schematic section similar to the foregoing views illustrating the throwing action involved upon rotation of the receptacle, the direction of throw of the rugs being from one point of the star configuration to a corner of the platform or bridge and the adjacent side of a star configuration; and

Figure 9 is a schematic section, similar to that of Figure 8 but showing a further operative aspect of the mechanism wherein the fabrics are thrown from one point of the star across the tub to the platform or bridge.

Referring more particularly to the foregoing drawings, the wash receptacle, star-shaped in cross section, is generally indicated at 10. In Figure 1, the external shape of the receptacle might be termed triadic for three pairs of adjacent star points are interconnected by an external plate for purposes which will appear hereinafter.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cross-sectional configuration of the rotary receptacle is of the form of a six pointed star. In actual construction, this is accomplished by a series of ribs conforming to the points of the star and, of course, the adjacent of them being interconnected at their inner ends. Such ribs are transverse to the axis of rotation of the tub, or normal thereto, and the series of ribs in each instance may be supported merely by the outer skin or facing of the construction or may be additionally secured in place by spaced ribs (not shown) which could be in axial alignment with the axis of rotation.

It is to be understood that the apparatus of this invention may be used in solvent cleaning as well as the waterdetergent type of cleaning which is particularly referred to herein. When designed for use with known types of solvents, the apparatus can be constructed of a material which is resistant to corrosion, such as stainless steel, Monel metal, etc. As those skilled in the art will under stand, when utilized for cleaning operations utilizing volatile and corrosive chemicals, the equipment is provided with suitable vents well known to the art. Such will permit discharge of dangerous gases, if that be the case, from the interior of the wash container.

In any event, these slats or ribs, such as those shown at 8 and 9, are angled at to each other at their inner ends and obviously at their outer ends at an angle, with respect to each other, of 60. The ribs are spaced that distance from each other which would prevent the involved fabrics from slipping in between them and, hence, they present a continuous, slatted or corrugated surface against which the rugs are impacted. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, these slats or ribs are spaced with approximately a 1%" clearance therebetwcen. The other points of the star configuration are similarly fabricated with such ribs or slats being made as unitary elements or joined together in any suitable manner.

The device of this invention is self-contained. That is, water and detergent are supplied to the interior of the rotating receptacle and the washing takes place without an exterior, fluid containing tub or receptacle such as is common in many known types of domestic and commercial washing machines. At any rate, the external appearance of the receptacle is not that of a star for, as indicated in the foregoing in the Figure 1 version of the invention, alternate pairs of star points are joined together by an additional series of walls such as those indicated at 11 and 12. These may be secured in watertight fashion in any well-known manner to adjacent points of the star configuration formed by the various ribs 8 and 9. The third wall joining two adjacent points of the star construction is actually the outer wall 13 of a door. generally indicated at 14. The latter comprises an access opening for loading and unloading purposes and, as here disclosed, extends completely across the longitudinal dimension of the mechanism, thus enabling convenient loading and removal of the washed fabrics. In between each of these exterior plates or walls 11, 12 and 14, which extend between adjacent points of the star construction,

additional plates or skins are provided in order that the construction is entirely sealed. These follow the shape of the star configuration. Thus plates 15 and 16, both representing sides between two adjacent star points, plates 18 and 20 and plates 22 and 24, all having the same an gular relationship, assure a completely self-contained receptacle. In a like manner, these can be joined together in any suitable way, as by welding or braising.

Reference has been made to a pocket type of construction provided in the interior of the receptacle, the individual buckets retaining the wash fluid during a portion of the rotation of the tub and permitting this fluid with some force to discharge out of the buckets at a high point in such cycle of rotation. These pockets or buckets, identified as 1, 2 and 3 in the instant construction, are formed by afiixing additional plates 30, 31 and 32 along one side of alternate star points, the other side of the re" ceptacles being the plates 13, 12 and 11, respectively. Thus, in this preferred embodiment of the invention, there are three such receptacles formed. For example, the receptacle indicated at l has the external skin 12 as one side and the plate 32 of one of the star points as the other side. The other two receptacles indicated at 2 and 3 are similarly formed with the obvious result that, during the course of their movement about the axis of rotation, they will be alternatively filled with wash fluid when in low position and discharged at the peak of their respective cycles of rotation.

The door 14 has an inner construction of the same configuration as the other points of the star formation. Hence, this door is likewise made with a series of ribs 35 and 36 which may be aflixed to the door front in any proper manner. The slats 35 provide support for an inner angularly inclined plate that, as referred to in the foregoing, forms one side of the receptacle or bucket 3. The mmebers and 36 must necessarily be angled at 120 with respect to each other in order to preserve the star configuration throughout the periphery of the wash chamber.

The door is is of a water tight construction and to this end, a rib 44 extends around the top and sides of the door opening, such rib being secured to the external skin or side plates of the wash receptacle in any suitable manner and being adapted to support a suitable gasket 45. An additional angled rib 41, besides providing a bearing surface for the gasket, has a back perpendicular surface which is suitable for engagement with the dogs of the latches that are used to tightly seal the door 14 in place. The ribs 41 and 44 are so angled inwardly at their outer surfaces, as shown in figure 1, that they are parallel to the plate 35 in the one instance or the ribs 36 in the other. Hence, the gasket, disposed against allfour sides of the wash receptacle, offers a water tight bearing surface against the plate 30 of the door 14 on the one hand and an upward angular extension 4-7 formed at the bottom of the door. When closed, the door is positioned and locked in place in the manner shown in Figure 1. It is hinged at its upper side by a series of hinges generally indicated at 5%, the latter having the two arms 51 and 52 secured respectively to the plate 15 and the front plate 1.3 of the door 14. These arms terminate in interfitting bearing surfaces suitable for retention of the usual hinge pin 54.

The dog latches, generally indicated at 55, are of the usual type, and as many utilized as would be normally necessary to secure the door in watertight fashion against the gasket by turning the inside angular member 57 downwardly so as to engage the element 41, referred to above.

An important aspect of our invention is the provision, in a wash chamber of six-star configuration, of a bridge or platform generally indicated at 60. This bridge, as

4 seen in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5 to 9, inclusive, extends completely across the full width of the receptacle or from one star point to its opposite and complementary star point. Whereas the various ribbings, such as 8 and 9, are disposed right-angularly to the longitudinal axis of the container, it is to be noted that the elements involved in the formation of the bridge on are axially disposed or positioned longitudinally with respect to the entire constructact with the fabrics charged to the wash receptacle. The- G tion. Such elements consist of a series of rollers which, in the preferred embodiment herein disclosed, would approximate rollers 2" in diameter. These rollers are mounted upon a framework, the main support of which is found in two angular members 62 at each side of the platform. The individual series of rollers 65 are, in turn, journaled in a number of T-bars 66. As here disclosed, seven such rollers 65 traverse the axial length of the container. The number of rollers may, of course, be varied, but it is preferred to employ multiple units of rollers because undue length of any individual roller would detract from its ability to freely rotate upon con- T-bars 66, with their accompanying top flanges 68, are so disposed over the ends of the severalseries of rollers, as shown in Figure 2, as to cover the space in between rollers, i. e., as to overlap the ends of adjacent rollers, thus preventing the fabric from being squeezed between the individual rollers with resultant injury to the fabrics or consequent binding of these rolling elements.

In the instant embodiment of the invention, there are 34 series of rollers, as shown in Figure 1, having reference to the greatest Width of the container, and since each aligned series of rollers contains seven individual roller units, the bridge or platform 60, as here illustrated, contains a total of 238 individual rollers which cover the entire contacting surface of the bridge or platform 60.

From the description thus far, it is seen that each of the star points of the receptacle construction is fitted with a series of adjacent rib or slat elements, such as 8 and 9, which may be positioned with a clearance of approximately 1 /2" therebetween and which are right-angularly positioned with respect to the axis of rotation of the tub;

whereas the roller units just described are disposed in axial alignment or in a direction normal to such ribs. In the rotation of the tub during its cycle of operation, these spaced slats of the individual star points provide a receiving support for the fabrics as they are tossed from one point of the interior of the tub to an opposite point. Such fabrics, of considerable Weight due to the fluids retained thereby, will thus impinge upon the slats with comparatively great force, the effect being to force the dirt and foreign matter out of the fabric with each such slap action-during the washing and rinsing cycle,

and to effectively compress excessive retained fluid out of the fabrics'during the damp dry cycle of the machine. As will be discussed in more detail hereinafter, the same effect is obtained from the throw involved of the fabrics from a high point across the receptacle to the bridge or platform 60. In addition to this function, however, of contributing to the slap action by the spaced series of rollers, the latter have another important function involved in the loading and discharging of the involved fabrics or rugs. As described above, the platform extends across the entire lateral width of the wash tub and terminates immediately adjacent the door 14. Upon opening the-latter, this bridge is immediately available for reception of the rugs and with the rollers disposed in the described manner, these can be spread throughout the entire bridge with great ease, the rollers obviously greatly reducing the element of friction. Unloading is facilitated by this type of bridge in the same manner; in this instance, however, the tub can be jogged or located toa position where the bridge is angularly inclined from approximately 3 to 12 to the horizontal. Thus, as indicated by the dotted line D in Figure 1, the bridge can be so disposed that with respect to the door 14, the platform is angled downwardly from rear to front of the mechanism with the result that the cleaned fabrics resting thereon will tend to progress forwardly by the more action of gravity and can certainly be removed by the operator without undue effort. t

The entire receptacle construction can be mounted for rotation in any suitable manner; in the present instance, oppositely disposed stanchions such as those indicated at 70, 71 and 74 can be positioned to form an inverted V with their respective bases secured to the base plates 75 and 76. At the top of their respective V formations, these stanchions terminate in suitable bearings 76 and 78 for the reception of two shafts 80 and 81 which are aflixed in a suitable manner at opposite sides of the framework of the receptacle, as will be readily understood by reference to Figure 2. As a simplified means of introduction of the wash or rinse fluid to the interior of the wash receptacle, we provide a fluid inlet line 84.which is suitably interconnected to a bore 85 running axially through the shaft 80 and opening into the interior of the container.

The drive means to rotate the wash receptacle is found in a ring gear 88 suitably keyed or otherwise aflixed to the shaft 81 and meshing with a pinion gear 90 likewise keyed to the shaft of a motor M. The latter is preferably of the reversible type in order that the tub can be rotated in opposite directions for purposes which will appear hereinafter. The motor is supported upon a base 91, made rigid by an angled brace 92. Having in mind the comparative size of the equipment as herein described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a problem of vibration may be involved, particularly when the equipment is used for the cleaning of heavy fabrics such as rugs, such fabrics being quite heavy when saturated with water. In order to compensate for this factor, the construction may be altered by providing a belt drive interconnected with the wash drum rather than the positive gear drive, described above. Driving the apparatus by belt will reduce the shock to the motor and related equipment during rotation of the. wash receptacle.

At the conclusion of the wash and/or rinse cycles, the fluid is discharged from the container prior to the cycle of operation involving rotation of the fabrics for the purpose of damp drying them. Discharge of fluid is obtained by a discharge line 95 located, as here shown, in the receptacle or pocket E which, in the discharge position of the wash tub, is the lowermost of the six star points. Discharge line 95, necessarily provided with the usual type of manual valve 96 which is normally closed during the wash and rinse cycles, is opened for draining the receptacle E into a trough structure 98, the latter discharging into an appropriate discharge line 99. It is to be understood that when the receptacle is in a position indicated in Figure 1, the other pockets, such as 2 and 3, are in a position to be drained, whereas the pockets 1 and E will receive the bulk of fluid. Accordingly, the drain line 95 is provided with a branch take-off line 94 inter connecting it with pocket 1 for simultaneous discharge of the remaining amount of water within the receptacle. Although not shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that drain lines may be provided adjacent each of the pockets 1, 2, 3 of the embodiment shown in Figure l and, also, suitable drains can be positioned in the respective corners of the pockets 4, 5, 6 of the variant shown in Figure 3. These drain lines would be particularly desirable for the discharge of excess, free fluid during the dampdry cycle of the mechanism-that is, during rotation of the wash receptacle. At this damp-drying stage of the cycle, such drain lines could merely be opened with the result that the fluid is constantly discharged therethrough by centrifugal force as it is expressed from the fabrics located within the container.

Another embodiment of the invention is depicted inFigure 3. Here it is seen that all of the adjacent points of the star shaped receptacle are spanned by an outer skin or plate, thus rendering the exterior shape of the tub hexagonal. This alternate construction has been devised to permit function of the apparatus with rotary motion in either direction, it being understood that the preferred embodiment of Figure l with the pockets, 1, 2 and 3, all extending in the same direction, is designed for rotary motion only in a clockwise direction, and having reference to the view of Figure 1.

In this alternate assembly of Figure 3, it is further seen that the number of receptacles or pockets has been doubled and that there are now three pockets facing in one direction and three facing in the opposite direction. The original three receptacles 1, 2 and 3 are unchanged in their relative positioning. However, in this construction, the plates formerly representing the plates 16, 2t) and 24, and constituting the exterior skin or facing of the triangular arrangement of Figure l have been re moved. In their stead, additional exterior coverings or plates 1G0, 361 and 102, respectively, complete the hexugonai shape of the exterior of the rotary tub. The star configuration, by this alteration, has not been appreciably changed, the elements or ribs 3 and 9 each forming separate star points and presenting a ribbed surface to the fabrics as they are thrown from one portion of the container to an oppositely disposed portion. With the removal of plates 16, 2.8 and 24 and the addition of the skin elements 1%, liil. and M1, it will be apparent in viewing Figure 3 that the three additional pockets are 4, 5 and 6, making a total of six receptacles. These last named receptacles face in a direction opposite to pockets 1, 2 and 3 and, therefore, as viewed in this figure, discharge of these additional pockets in a manner already described would occur during countercloclnvise rotation of the wash tub. Thus, the structure here disclosed provides for the same functional results typical of the operation of the preferred embodiment of Figure l with the exception that the washing, rinsing and drying action can be accomplished by rotation of the tub in one direction a predetermined number of revolutions and rotation of the tub in an opposite direction the same number of revolutions. The function and operation of the bridge 60, the so-called slap action of the fabrics against this bridge and the sides of the star configuration during the wash and rinse cycles and the "throv-f of the fabrics against opposite star points or the bridge during the damp dry procedure would be the same in this modified version of this invention.

With respect to draining of the mechanism of Figure 3, it is seen that another take-off, line 97, is required. Since fluid would come to rest in the three receptacles i, I and E, the drain line is interconnected with all three.

The cycle of operation of the mechanism of this invention is more particularly illustrated in Figures 5 to 9, inclusive. These figures must necessarily be regarded as diagrammatic and are not intended to demonstute all phases involved in one complete rotation of the tub for the fabrics will, during one revoiuticn, hit upon a star side once and impinge upon the platform oncc. At any rate, these diagrammatic views are intended to demonstrate the preferred thinking as to the various phases of operation of the invention.

Referring to the loading position shown in Figure 5, the bridge may be canted downwardly from front to rear, as here shown, to permit the operator to slide the rugs over the described rollers to the rear, first, and then to successively lay the fabrics one upon the other and side by side in such fashion that substantially the entire platform 60 is covered with the materials to be washed. it is preferred that the capacity of the wash receptacle be at least 1,000 square feet of fabric. 'lliis would ac commodate from seven to nine rugs of standard generally 9 X 12. To this end, the preferred dimensions of the wash receptacle are considered to be as follows: the overall length of the machine is twelve feet with a diameter from point to point of the star configuration of twelve feet. The platform 60 reprcsents a square surface 12 x 10 in dimension. Similarly, it is readily appreciated that each of the sides of the points of the star formation would be approximately 40 in width. Thus. V/liil from seven to nine rugs of the stated size, their positioning in the tub would approximate the diagram of Figure 5, indicating the loading of seven fabrics. n commercial practlce, it is contemplated that such fabrics would be folded back upon themselves in accordion fashion, each rug of the stated size thus occupying an approximate height of between three to four inches. As shown in Figure 5, the wash fluid, having been discharged through the line 84, has saturated the'pile of fabrics and enough excess, above the retention of the fabrics, has been added to partially fill pocket 1 and the adjacent V-shaped pocket underneath the bridge.

It is contemplated that approximately 550 gallons of fluid detergent will be discharged to the receptacle, this representing a suflicient amount to cleanse approximately seven fabrics of the stated standard dimension9 x l2. Fluid retention of this number of rugs will amount to approximately 150 gallons, thus leaving an excess of 400 gallons. Each of the pockets 1 to 6 are contemplated as periodically retaining 215 gallons of fluid, thus leaving approximately 185 gallons excess to perform the swishing action described herein. The representation of this amount of fluid is found in Figures 5 to 9, inclusive, which, as stated, is purely diagrammatic, and indicates that there is an excess of the detergent over and above that necessary to saturate the fabrics. As seen in Figure 5, it is to be assumed that the fabrics have been soaked to their maximum amount of retention and the fluid indicated in the lower portion of the container is intended to represent the excess over and above the amount for saturation purposes. This is also true of the other figures, 6 to 9, inclusive.

The preferred rotation is between fourteen to fifteen R. P. M. during the wash and damp-dry cycles. It has been found that, with a wash receptacle of the stated dimensions, an effective cleaning is obtained through several important factors: the first of these involves the throw or impact action which results from rotation at this speed and which occurs when the fabrics are lifted up to between a ten and eleven oclock position in the tub and then are thrown with some force to the opposite side of the tub to impinge upon the numerous stats 8 and i The second feature of this operation is the some throwing effect when the articles are caused to be hurtled from the same position to the bridge. This, being made up of rollers, nevertheless has the same slatted effect and the pounding, due to the weight of the rugs, is somewhat more eflective since the receiving platform is larger in area than any one of the sides of the points of the star configuration. The third operational function of the invention involves a surging effect obtained through use of the several buckets or receptacles here numbered 1 to 3. This occurs when a filled receptacle progresses upwardly to near the twelve oclock position where it is caused to discharge the contained water at a considerable height to the fabrics which. in the meantime, have been positioned immediately underthat particular bucket.

There is another swirling or surging elfect produced by the fluid. which additionally improves the washing action of this mechanism. With the fluid at the lowermost portions of the star configuration, much as depicted in Figures 5 and 6, when rotation commences the water adjacent to pocket 1 will be lifted up and poured over and through the pile of fabrics. This is a continuous operation occurring constantly during rotation as each point of the star configuration receives the wash' fluid and as each such point progresses upwardly towards the top of the container.

The combined effect of these several features of the invention is to lay the rugs in different positions and with different sides exposed to either the surging water or the several slatted constructions. Further, with the provision of the roller construction, found in the bridge or platform, the rugs or fabrics are permitted to spread about considerably and, during the course of several revolutions, will not tend to bunch or ball; hence, in the operation of the invention, the possibility of damage to either the so-called hardbacked type of rug or the low cost type of tufted rug is eliminated.

After loading, explained with reference to Figure 5,

. id and commencement of rotation of the tub, the disposition of the tub will assume that shown in Figure 6. Here, the piled fabrics have progressed down the rollers of the bridge to a corner of the star configuration and, simultaneously, that pocket or receptacle which will subsequently discharge at its highest point is filled with wash fluid.

Continued rotation places the platform at an approximate eleven oclock position, as shown in Figure 7. Due to the rotation at the speeds mentioned, there will be a throwing of the pile of rugs from their position shown in Figure 6 across the tub to the opposed point of the star configuration. This is diagrammatically indicated in Figure 7 by a dotted line, representing the fabrics in their initial position, and by the arrows indicating the direction of throw. At the same time, receptacle 1 has reached the top of the cycle'of rotation and, hence, readily discharges the wash fluid directly upon the rugs. The throw against the slats of this point of the star configuration is of such violence as to drive the soil and dirt particles out of the rugs through such slatted construction. With additional turning of the receptacle, the wash fluid in the adjacent star point surges out of that point and across the layered fabrics, and this surging action additionally assures a complete intermingling of the detergent with the fabrics and consequent appreciably better washing action.

Continued rotation of the tub will place the platform upon the right, vertically to the horizontal and as shown in Figure 8. This cycle illustrates the throw effect from one of the points of the star to the platform or bridge with the same consequent action, involving a relatively violent slamming against the slats and/ or rollers with consequent effective dirt removal. At this point, another bucket or receptacle, here receptacle 3, has reached the top of rotation and, in turn, discharges directly upon-the piled rugs. Bucket 2 has, in the meantime, been filled with wash solution preparing for its discharge from the top of the tub.

In Figure 9, the discharge of wash fluid from bucket 2 is illustrated with arepeat cycle insofar as receptacles 1 and 3 are concerned. In this phase, as in that shown in Figures 6 to 8, the fluid in'the adjacent star point is consequently completing a surging action caused by its rapid flow from the left to right (viewing these figures) as rotation proceeds.

It thus can be appreciated that once in every revolution of the tub, the rugs will be thrown from the lefthand side of the tub directly against the rollers of the platform, this involving a spreading or distribution of the fabrics because of the larger area presented by the bridge. In the remaning portion of one revolution, the throwing of the fabrics willtwice occur from left to right, landing upon the 'right side upon or near a point of the star configuration. In either event, all of the factors of throwing, water surging and slamming? are encountered.

The operation of the embodiment of the invention found in Figure 3 is substantially the same with the exception that in using this type of apparatus, the cycle may involve alternate, reversed rotation of the drum. In both directions of operation there would be three phases of water discharge during a single rotation in a given direction since three of the receptacles face one way and the three alternate receptacles open in the other direction. The throw of the fabrics from one side of the drum to the other, contacting either the slats 8 and 9 of the pointed segments of the wash drum or rollers 65 of the bridge will occur in this embodiment of the invention, in much the same manner as described above with reference to the constructionof the drum as shown in Figure 1.

In the preferred operation of the mechanism, the clean ing cycle involves the following stages: first, the wash cycle-this would involve an initial filling of the receptacle to a capacity somewhat in excess of approximately seventy-five gallons of wash fluid per rug or, in the ordinary usage of the mechanism, approximately 550 gallons of water and detergent. With respect to the triangular construction of Figure 1, after filling, the tub is rotated at a speed of approximately fourteen to fifteen R. P. M. for a period of seven minutes in clockwise direction. The functional features of slap action and water surging" take place during this period in a manner described above. With respect to this preferred embodiment of the, invention, rotation is unidirectional because only three receptacles or buckets are employed and these three all face in the same direction. It has been found that a total washing period of seven minutes, in this instance, is suflicient to clean the fabrics to the desired degree.

If the alternate construction of Figure 3 is employed, then the wash cycle of operation would involve alternate directions of rotation of equal periods or, for example, a

I 3 /2 minute period of clockwise rotation followed by a 3 /2 minute of counterclockwise rotation, totaling approximately seven minutes. Here, because of the fact that alternate receptacles or buckets are positioned in opposite directions, the surging and discharging eifects of the fluid take place irrespective of flow of direction of rotation.

At the conclusion of the wash cycle, the fabrics are first rinsed in two separate phases. Whether the direction of rotation be clockwise or not, these rinse phases can be described as follows: the first rinse phase requires approximately two minutes andthe speed of rotation during this phase is lowered to approximately eleven R. P. M. It has been found that at this lowered rate of rotation, a tumbling action takes place which is much similar to the tumbling action as generally understood with respect to the commercial and domestic laundry machines. At this speed, the fabrics are picked up to an approximately ten oclock position (if the rotation be clockwise) and then allowed to drop back into the wash fluid, contained within the lowermost star point configuration. This is, of course, different than the phase of operation occurring during the washing when the increased speed of rotation, involving a greater centrifugal force component, etfectuates a throwing action substantially across the diameter of the tub. With this tumbling action, the fabrics are repeatedly dipped back into the rinse fluid with an obvious consequent removal of detergent therefrom. The second phase of the first rinse period varies in this manner: the mechanism is then rotated at the higher speed of the wash cyclea speed of between fourteen and fifteen R. P. M. During this two minute period of rinse, the throwing action referred to above occurs.

The first rinse is followed by a second rinse cycle, calling for draining and refilling of the mechanism with water and, in the case of the embodiment of Figure l, the second rinse cycle is exactly the same as described above with respect to the first rinse. If the type of mechanism of Figure 3 is used, then it is preferred that the second rinse cycle be broken down into equal two minute periods where rotation of the drum is in alternate, different directions.

The damp drying period terminates the complete phase of operations of the machine. This requires drainage of the excess fluid within the drum, followed by rotation thereof at the preferred speed of fourteen to fifteen R. P. M. The so-called damp drying takes place at this speed because at such increased speed, the throwing action of the fabrics from one side of the receptacle to the other results in forcefully slapping them against either the spaced slats 8 and 9 of each of the star points or the series of rollers 65 of the bridge or platform. The force of impact is suflicient to substantially drive out from the rugs or fabrics excess fluid. This damp drying procedure is continued for a period of four minutes at the end of which time the fabrics are substantially damp dried, at least sufficiently so as to be removed from the mechanism and placed within the ordinary commercial type of drying room for complete removal of moisture.

Thus, it is seen that the total period of time for a thorough and eflicient washing, rinsing and damp drying of a number of heavy fabrics of the rug type can be accomplished in at least a period of fifteen minutes.

In the foregoing, we have disclosed a novel mechanism, most economical in its construction and operation and, of possibly greater significance, involving a new concept of cleaning of heavy fabrics. The invention presents the practical solution to those difiiculties present in the industry and set forth above. Although it is obvious that this invention may be varied in many ways and other expedients or alternates employed to accomplish the purposes hereof, it is to be understood that our invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a rotary mechanism for washing fabrics, an enclosed tumbling drum mounted for rotary movement, said drum enclosing a series of ribbed side walls, said side walls comprising a series of slats positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the drum and spaced lengthwise thereof, the adjacent walls of said series being angularly inclined to each other to define an enclosure of cross-sectional star configuration, said configuration having an even number of points spaced 60 from each other radially with reference to said axis, at least three of said points being provided with inwardly opening and symmetrically balanced fluid receptacles, a fabric receiving platform extending over one of said points to the points on each side of said one point, said platform being constructed of spaced rollers permitting the flow of fluid therethrough, said rollers being in approximate alignment with said axis, whereby, upon rotation of said drum, said fabrics are lifted by one of said adjacent side walls to a position in the upper portion of said tub and sequentially thrown down upon a side wall in the lower portion of said drum and upon said platform, said fluid receptacles being positioned to sequentially discharge fluid over said thrown fabrics during rotation of said drum.

2. In a rotary mechanism for washing fabrics, an enclosed tiunbling drum comprised of fluid-tight plates forming a symmetrical exterior, said tumbling drum being mounted for rotary movement, said tub surrounding a series of ribbed side walls, said side walls comprising a series of spaced slats, the adjacent walls of said series being angularly inclined to each other to define an enclosure of cross-sectional six-pointed star configuration, at least three of the points of said star being provided with inwardly opening fluid receptacles, a fabric receiving.platform extending over one of said points to the points on each side of said one point, said platform being constructed of spaced rollers permitting the flow of fluid therethrough, said rollers being longitudinally positioned with respect to said drum, the exterior of said side walls being covered by said plates whereby, upon rotation of said tub, said fabrics are lifted by one of said adjacent side walls to a position in the upper por' tion of said tub and sequentially thrown down upon a side wall in the lower portion of said tub and upon said platform, said fluid receptacles being positioned to sequentially discharge fluid over said thrown fabrics during rotation of said tub.

3. In a rotary washing mechanism, an enclosed tumbling drum mounted for rotary movement, said drum enclosing a cross-sectional configuration of six points comprising spaced slats positioned transversely of the longitudinal axis of said drum and spaced lengthwise thereof, the alternate points of said configuration being provided with internally disposed, symmetrically balanced fluid receptacles, said drum having an access opening along the periphery thereof, a platform adjacent said access opening and extending across the width of said star configuration and off-center with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tumbling drum, said platform comprising a plurality of roller means, said roller means permitting passage of fluid therebetween, said roller means being longitudinally disposed with respect to said drum, means to admit fluid to said drum and means to rotate said drum.

4. In a rotary washing mechanism, an enclosed, watertight tumbling drum of triadic shape mounted for rotary movement, said drum enclosing spaced slats positioned transversely of the longitudinal axis of said drum and spaced lengthwise thereof, said slats forming a sixpointed star configuration, the alternate points of said star configuration being provided with internally disposed, symmetrically balanced fluid receptacles, said drum having an access opening along the periphery thereof, a platform adjacent said access opening and extending across the width of said star configuration and off-center with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tumbling drum, said platform comprising a plurality of rollers positioned in spaced relationship with respect to each other to permit the passage of fluid therethrough, said roller means being longitudinally disposed with respect to said drum, means to admit fluid to said drum and means to rotate said drum.

5. In a rotary washing mechanism, an enclosed tumbling drum of polygonal shape, said drum having side walls and being mounted for rotary movement, said drum surrounding a six-pointed enclosure, said enclosure being star-shaped in cross-section, said enclosure comprising slats positioned transversely of the longitudinal axis of said drum and spaced lengthwise thereof, the alternate points of said enclosure being provided with internally disposed fluid receptacles, said receptacles being symmetrically balanced with respect to said drum, said alternate points being interconnected by said side Walls, said drum having an access opening along the periphery thereof, a platform adjacent said access opening and extending off-center with respect to the longitudinal axis of said drum across the greatest width of said enclosure, said platform comprising a plurality of roller means, said roller means being spaced to permit the passage of wash fluid therethrough, said roller means being disposed longitudinally with respect to said drum, means to admit fluid to said drum and means to rotate said drum.

6. In a rotary washing mechanism, an enclosed tumbling drum of polygonal exterior shape mounted for rotary movement, said drum surrounding a cage having, in cross-section, a six-pointed star-shaped configuration comprising slats positioned transversely of the longitudinal axis of said drum and spaced lengthwise thereof, the alternate points of said star-shaped configuration being provided with an adjacent pair of fluid receptacles opening in approximately opposite directions, said pairs of adjacent fluid receptacles being symmetrically balanced with respect to said drum, said drum having an access opening along the periphery thereof, a platform adjacent said access opening and positioned off-center with respect to the axis of rotation of said drum, said platform extending across the width of said cage, said platform comprising a plurality of roller means, said roller means being positioned longitudinally with respect to said drum and in spaced relationship to each other to provide passageways for the discharge of wash fluid therethrough, means to admit fluid to said drum and means to rotate said drum.

7. In a rotary washing mechanism, an enclosed tumbling drum of hexagonal exterior shape, said drum having side walls and being mounted for rotary movement, spaced slats within said drum forming, in cross-section, a six-pointed star configuration, said slats being positioned transversely of the longitudinal axis of said drum and spaced lengthwise thereof, the adjacent points of said star configuration being interconnected by said walls, and the alternate points thereof being provided with inwardly opening fluid receptacles, said receptacles forming the points of said star configuration, said receptacles being symmetrically balanced with respect to said drum, said drum having an access opening and a platform extending off-center with respect to said axis across the width of said star configuration, said platform surmounting at least one of said receptacles, said platform comprising a plurality of spaced roller means permitting the passage of wash fluid therethrough, said roller means being disposed longitudinally with respect to said drum, means to admit fluid to said drum and means to rotate said drum.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 70,667 Wilsil Nov. 5, 1867 90,250 Fanning May 18, 1869 114,126 Gaston Apr. 25, 1871 116,614 Marshall July 4, 1871 342,812 Smith June 1, 1886 725,333 Garver Apr. 14, 1903 1,248,085 Dahly Nov. 27, 1917 1,300,233 Allsop Apr. 15, 1919 1,391,848 Owen Sept. 27, 1921 2,296,258 Breckenridge Sept. 22, 1942 2,556,490 Chamberlin June 12, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 323,060 France July 21, 1902 

